Book supporter



Dec. 14,1937. L. zoccH| 2,101,972

BOOK SUPPORTER Filed Dec. 25, 1955 40 channel member I6 is a short slot 20.

Patented Dec. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFEIQE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for supporting a book in an inclined position on a table or desk. It is an object of the invention to provide a book stand which is compact in structure so as 5 to be capable of being carried in a pocket, which is simple and cheap, and which is effective in operation.

The invention as herein described comprises two members, a base and an upright, the upright being preferably in the form of a cylindrical rod which is movable from a nested position within the base to a position for use in which it is supported inclined at a suitable angle to the base. When in use, the rod is inserted between the back of the book and the central portion of the binding.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the description thereof which follows and to the illustration of an embodiment thereof on the drawing of which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the invention, showing a book in place thereon.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the device in collapsed form.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views of a portion of the device showing the rod in different positions.

The device consists essentially of two members, a base l0 and a rod I2. The base is preferably elongated for stability and is provided with a flat bottom or with spaced edge portions in a common plane. As shown, the base member In is in the form of a housing consisting of a flat bottom I4 with a non-skid surface and an upper channel member l6 secured along its margins to the bottom plate l4, so that the structure of the housing 10 is substantially integral. Near one end of the Through this slot projects a rod 22 which preferably is circular in cross section. The lower or inner end of the rod is enlarged as at 24, this portion of the rod being wider than the slot 20 so that com- 45 plete removal of the rod from the housing is thus prevented. The rod 22 is readily slidable in the slot 20 from the position illustrated in Figure 3 to an extended position wherein the enlarged portion 24 engages the sides of the slot 20. When 50 the rod has thus been drawn out as far as possible, it may be swung through an upright posi tion to an inclined position overhanging the base Hi. It is then in position for use and a hook may be inserted on the rod in such a way that the 55 rod extends through the space between the central portion of the binding and the back of the book where the signatures are sewed together, as illustrated in Figure l. The book is then sup ported by the rod in a convenient position for reading, the rod being capable of supporting the book when the latter is either open or shut. The book is readily removable from the rod and the device can then be collapsed to the position shown in Figure 3, whereupon it can be slipped into a pocket. 10 If desired, the rod can be supported at a plu- A rality of angles of inclination, as indicated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. To this end, the sides of the slot 20 may be serrated or notched so that the enlarged portion 24 of the rod may engage selecl5 tively in any pair of notches. The rod itself may also be grooved as at 39, these grooves selectively engaging the end 32 of the slot 20 to cooperate with the enlarged end 24 in supporting the rod in one or another of its positions for use. 20

It is evident that various modifications and changes may be made in the embodiment herein shown and described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 25

I claim:- 1. A book stand comprising an elongated hollow base having a short slot near an end thereof, a substantially cylindrical rod freely slidable through said slot, said rod having an enlarged 30 portion adjacent to its inner end adapted to cooperate with the sides of the slot to support the rod in an inclined position overhanging said base when the rod is pulled out of said base for cooperation with said portion. 35

2. A book stand comprising an elongated base including an inverted channel member with a short slot in an end portion thereof, a rod slidable through said slot from a nested position in said channel to a position for use in which said rod extends upwardly from said slot and is inclined to overhang said base, said rod having an enlarged end portion cooperating with the sides of the slot to support said rod in its position for use.

3. A book stand comprising a hollow base in the form of an elongated flat-bottom housing having a short slot adjacent to an end thereof, and a rod slidable longitudinally through said slot into enclosed position in said housing, said rod having an enlarged portion wider than the slot adjacent to its innermost end and adapted to cooperate with the sides of the slot to support the rod in an inclined position over the base when 55 5. A book stand comprising a base having a short slot in an end portion thereof, and a rod slidable through said slot, said rod having an enlarged end portion wider than the slot and peripheral grooves adjacent to said enlarged end portion, said grooves selectively engaging an end of the slot and cooperating with said enlarged portion of the rod and the sides of the slot to support said rod selectively in any one of a plurality of inclined positions overhanging said base.

LEON ZOCCHI. 

